WiFi for Miles
March 31, 2007 | By Raymond T. Hightower
Researchers at Intel have improved WiFi to enable connections beyond sixty miles. Why not use the readily available WiMax instead? Economics. Intel’s new WiFi offers WiMax performance at a ninety percent (90%) discount.
Now Testing
CNet’s News.com reports that Intel is testing the new technology in California’s Bay Area.
Disruptive Change: Good for Customers
One might think of this as disruptive technology. Here’s why:
- Why use a cell phone if you can use a voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) enabled WiFi phone instead?
- If a cheap, handheld Internet browser becomes available, why store information on a PDA? If your data is stored centrally, it will remain secure in the event that the handheld device is lost or stolen.
- When view-on-demand television shows become available on the Internet, why buy cable TV service?
The list goes on.
Tech in Emerging Markets
Even better: Intel is targeting the technology for the world’s emerging markets, people on the planet who live far away from the traditional telecommunications infrastructure. The MIT Media Lab’s One Laptop Per Child initiative is another example of good world citizenship that makes use of technology.Somewhere in the developing world lies untapped intellect that could serve to benefit us all. This just makes statistical sense. As more of us get connected, all of us benefit. That’s good.